CT Hockey Community Mourns Loss Of Teen Killed In Crash

WINCHESTER, CT — The state's hockey community is mourning the loss of a 16-year-old athlete who died with his grandfather in a Tuesday night accident, WTNH News-8 reported.

William O'Leary, 84, was taking his grandson, Marcus Rogers, a Wolcott Tech School student, to hockey practice, Fox 61 reported. Wolcott Tech is located in Torrington.

Police said the accident occurred on Route 44 when a car attempted to pass a box truck, and it crossed the yellow line, then crashed head-on with O'Leary's SUV, NBC CT reported.

The driver that attempted to pass the box truck was injured, and his passenger, an 18-year-old, was also injured, Fox 61 reported.

Rogers played hockey for the Housatonic Co-Op Mountaineers, a traveling team. Rogers' coach, Dean Diamond, told WTNH News-8 that he was a fun kid and "a hard worker" who was always the last player to leave the ice and the locker room.

Hockey sticks are being placed on front porches throughout the Torrington area in a show of solidarity, WTNH News-8 reported.

The team gathered for about three hours Wednesday night and decided to honor Rogers' memory by playing their next game.

"Please come out and support our Housy Hockey Team as we remember one of our own, #20 Marcus Rogers," Housatonic Mountaineers Hockey posted on Facebook. "Marcus was tragically killed Tuesday evening on his way to practice. Please wear white for our 'white out' game. Let’s fill the stands, let’s do it for Marcus."

The Mountaineers' next game is Saturday against Tri-State at South Kent School.

Connecticut State Police and Winchester Police are jointly investigating the crash.

See related: Grandfather, Grandson Killed In 2 Vehicle Crash In CT: Reports